Depression and electricity.

[kensloft]

Here in the land of the eternal igloo one of our huge igloo buildings called the Toronto Western Hospital (where I was born) have come up with what they are calling 'deep brain stimulation' :bow: .

In the frontal lobe they have inserted wires that stimulate the portion of the brain that controls the brain's ability to launch itself into the terrors of depression. The wires are inserted in precise areas of the brain and the elctical apparatus is inserted under the clavicle. It works much like a heart pacing machine. When it is turned on the patients return to normal. :cool:

The tests have shown that by introducing an electrical current into the affected area it effectively changes the person to the point that they are even thinking about continuing their lives as they had before they were diagnosed with this disorder. :doh:
There were six people involved in the study and 4 of the six are normal. More tests to follow.:popcorn:


It is very disheartening, :sadcheer: I know, that many of you may, at some future date, get this operation done thereby eliminating the reason for there being shit threads. You will be completely happy spending your days playing x's and o's on the site. Many of you can refuse to take the operation so things will probably remain the same. :wave:

[Crumb]

There ain't no cure for the bug I's got.

[Dingfod]

The tests have shown that by introducing an electrical current into the affected area it effectively changes the person to the point that they are even thinking about continuing their lives as they had before they were diagnosed with this disorder.Well, if that's all it does, expect pretty much the same level of griping and complaining from me. I've always been a pessimist and a complainer, that guy that walks by a bunch of people deep into discussions about engineering problems and says, "It'll never work." My supervisor in Wyoming once told me, "Warren, if you couldn't bitch, you'd die." My wife agrees.

[Beth]

I don't know enough about this, but I think it sounds great. There are people who are depressed and cannot find a drug or treatment to help them. If a treatment like this could save or improve the quality of their lives, then it is wonderful that a new stride has been reached in treating depressives. I just wonder what the risks are of such a treatment.

[godfry n. glad]

I, like Warren, am a recreational griper and nitpicker.

This whole idea that kensloft has unveilled has the stench of ECT. A bit more refined and focused, but the same idea. My mother went through more'n a hundred applications of ECT and it didn't do shit for her except erase much of her memory. I was not impressed. She had much better luck after the pharmacological revolution in psychotherapy.

godfry

[viscousmemories]

I was very surprised to find out (relatively recently) that they still perform shock therapy, lobotomies, and other brain-damaging treatments for psychiatric disorders. Freaky. But the "more refined and focused" part here makes a big difference to me. I'd have to read more details but if they've done thier homework and are achieving real results without significant or permanent brain damage then it definitely sounds promising.

[John Carter]

Godfry, vm, electro-shock therapy is still performed as a last resort treatment for people suffering from severe long term major depression who do not respond to anti-depressant drugs or other therapies.

[Beth]

Deep brain stimulation is FDA approved treatment for Parkinsons and essential tremor patients. It is in clinical trial for psychiatric disorders such as treatment-resistant OCD and depression.

This is the criteria for eligibility for the OCD trial:
Eligibility

Ages Eligible for Study: 23 Years - 65 Years, Genders Eligible for Study: Both

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

* Intractable, malignant, and treatment refractory OCD that has caused substantial suffering and a reduction in the patient's psychosocial functioning for > 5 years
* Poor prognosis without neurosurgical intervention
* Failed an adequate trial of clomipramine and at least two of the following selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs): fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, citalopram, sertraline, and paroxetine. Additionally, patients must have failed augmentation treatment with at least one of the above drugs for 1 month with at least two of the following: clonazepam, haloperidol, risperidone, olanzapine, and gabapentin.
* Willingness to undergo augmentation treatment with a low-dose neuroleptic if tics are present prior to surgery
* Failed an adequate trial of cognitive behavioral therapy/exposure response prevention while taking clomipramine and an SSRI


If all goes well, this treatment could help treat those who do not respond to the currently available drug and other conventional treatments. Imagine the improvement in the quality of lives and possibly even save lives of those who would rather die than to continue the prospect of living in suffering with all attempts to get better ending in disappointment and failure.

[kensloft]

If you had seen the before and after pictures of the patients you would still be getting up from the floor. From dishevelled and eye flitting with paranoia to sedate and ordinary people. Plug in the apparatus and you are home free.

The main focus is like what is happening in the treatment of Parkinson's Disease. With the exception that the doctor realized that there might be something to be had from putting the electrodes in the area that is most prone to being a part of the problem of depression. No drugs. No side effects. I'm quite happy that this has been and is being promoted as a means of alleviating the pressures of living with depression.

It'll be reserved for the worst cases initially. Major surgery involved, hence, costs.

[Ymir's blood]

I remain deeply sceptical of anything that might make me normal. Ok, not just sceptical but outright :paranoid: